languor
/'læɳgə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy: A feeling of tiredness or inertia, often pleasant or dreamy, that makes one unwilling to move or exert effort.
- A state of inactivity or sluggishness: A lack of physical or mental activity; a condition of listlessness.
- A feeling of dreamy relaxation or pleasant idleness: A comfortable, relaxed, and often lazy feeling, sometimes induced by warmth or comfort.
- (Literary) A oppressive stillness or heaviness (as of the air or weather): A heavy, calm, and often sultry quietness.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The hot afternoon induced a pleasant languor, making it impossible to do any work.
- After her illness, she was overcome by a general languor and spent days on the sofa.
- There was a strange languor in the air before the storm.
- He spoke with a languor that suggested complete disinterest in the topic.
Advanced Usage
- "Summer languor": Refers to the lazy, relaxed feeling associated with hot summer days.
- The garden was steeped in a deep summer languor.
- "A languor of the spirit": A poetic way to describe a state of mental listlessness or melancholy.
- A certain languor of the spirit kept him from pursuing his ambitions.
Variants and Related Words
- Languorous (adjective): Characterized by languor; slow, relaxed, and lacking energy.
- She moved in a languorous manner.
- Languid (adjective): Lacking energy or vitality; slow and relaxed. (Note: "Languid" is a close synonym but often implies a more inherent slowness, while "languorous" often implies being languor.)
- His languid wave suggested he couldn't be bothered.
- Languish (verb): To lose or lack vitality; to grow weak or feeble. To exist in an unpleasant or neglected state.
- The plants languished in the drought.
Synonyms
- Lassitude: A state of physical or mental weariness.
- Lethargy: A lack of energy and enthusiasm.
- Listlessness: Lack of interest, energy, or spirit.
- Torpor: A state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy.
- Ennui: A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
Antonyms
- Energy: The capacity for vigorous activity.
- Vitality: The state of being strong and active.
- Liveliness: The quality of being full of life and energy.
- Vigor: Physical strength and good health.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "To be sunk in languor": To be deeply immersed in a state of weariness or inactivity.
- After the long journey, he was sunk in languor for the rest of the day.
Noun
- inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
- the general appearance of sluggishness alarmed his friends
- a feeling of lack of interest or energy
- a relaxed comfortable feeling